69
Michele Foschini (Guardia Sanframondi, 1711 – 1770 circa)
Presentation of a Royal Galley to the young Charles of Bourbon
oil on canvas
cm 42x85
The painting depicts an official scene set in the halls of the Royal Palace of Naples, where Charles of Bourbon, recently enthroned, is presented with a model of a Royal Galley by two high-ranking court dignitaries in the first half of the 18th century. In the newly independent Neapolitan Kingdom, after centuries of viceroyalty, the reorganization of the royal fleet became the primary commitment to the new guidelines for mercantile expansion.
When Charles of Bourbon arrived in Naples in 1734, the ministers revived the mercantilist ideas introduced during the Austrian viceroyalty. A Council of State was created, composed of two Spaniards—Josè de Montealegre, Marquis of Salas (later Duke), Secretary of State, and José Manuel de Benavides y Aragón, Count of Santisteban del Puerto—and several Neapolitans, including the Prince of Francavilla Michele Imperiali and the Duke Gaetani di Laurenzano.
A key member of the government was Minister Bernardo Tanucci.
As early as 1735, a "Junta di Commercio" (Council of Commerce) was established, modeled after the Austrian one, and in 1739 the "Supreme Magistrate of Commerce," which adjudicated commercial and maritime disputes. Special attention was given to rebuilding the fleet and training officers, for whom the Naval Academy was founded in 1735.
The fleet was necessary for the defense of the coasts and convoys of merchant vessels, often attacked by pirates.
The painting presented here is therefore an exceptional, extremely rare, if not unique, documentation of these events, with a fascinating attention to naval detail and the depiction of the high officials of state involved.
€ 12.000,00 / 15.000,00
Estimate